Wire twisting machine



y 1932- J. G. STEELE WIRE TWISTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 12, 1932. J, STEELE 1,866,952

WIRE TWISTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1931 2 Sheets-Shet 2 gwue'ntot 7 wH/YG STEELE /4 arm,

Patented. July 12, 1932 UNITED STATES JOHN GALLAGHER STEELE, OF LATROBE, PENNSYLVANIA WIRE TWISTING MACHINE Application filed February 20, 1931. Serial No. 517,367.

This invention relates to wire twisting machines, and lnoreparticularly to a machine for twisting the wires of dynamite caps.

The laws of the several States require that the wires attached to dynamite caps have their free ends stripped of insulation and twisted together to prevent the accidental closing of a circuit through the wires to prevent the accidental explosion of the caps. The twisting of these wires ordinarily has been done with machines which are rather slow in operation and which are manually controlled or, at best, semi-automatic in operation, thus limiting the production of the article. Some of these machines have the additional fault that they are extremely hard on the hands of girl operators usually em ployed for their operation with the result that an operator ordinarily is able to work at the machine only every other day.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a wire twisting device which is fully automatic in operation, thus greatly multiplying the production of wired dynamite caps.

A further object is to provide a machine of the character referred to which lends itself readily to the duplication of the twisting units without requiring the duplication of the control means or the source of power thus permitting great economy in production to be efiected by permitting a single motor and control means to be employed for operating several twisting devices.

l; further object is to provide a device which may be readily opera-ted without any danger of injury to the hands of the operator.

A further object is to provide novel fully automatic wire engaging means one of which is stationary and the other rotatable to twist the wires at the desired point and to release the Wires to permit their withdrawal from the machine.

A. further object is to provide novel means whereby an operator may gage the length of the untwisted portions at the extremities of the wires to facilitate the 'untwisting thereof when it is desired to connect the wires to a source of current.

A further object is to provide novel readily movable means for adjusting the wire gripping devices.

A further object is to provide novel means for preventing injury to the rotatable wire engaging chuck if an article thicker than wire of the usual gage is inserted therein.

A further object is to provide novel means for signalling the operator when the device has its working parts in a position to receive wires to be twisted so as to eliminate an attempt to insert wires when the gripping devices are in operative positions, thus facilitating the operation of the apparatus.

A further object is to provide novel cam means for simultaneously actuating fixed and rotatable jaws for gripping wires therein during a portion of the cycle of operation of the apparatus to twist the wires, and then to release the jaws to permit the wires to be withdrawn and new wires inserted therein.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing,

Figure l is a face view, the casing being shown in section,

Figure 2 is a side elevation with the casing in section,

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the jaw and chuck operating mechanism,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view on line 4l-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a detail section on line 55 of Figure 4;,

Figure 6 is a similar view on line 6-6 of Figure l,

Figure 7 is a section on line 7-7 of Figure 4, parts being broken away, and, I

Figure 8 is a detail section taken substan tially on line 88 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a main support as a whole preferably formed as an integral casting and including a main vertical portion 11 and a base 12 secured to a suitable support by bolts 13. Adjacent its upper end, the support 10 is provided with a. horizontal forwardly extending wall 14 terminating in a forward apart, as indicated at 41.

Rearwardly of the vertical wall 10, a pref-er-' ably stamped steel disk 22 is secured to the shaft 21 to rotate therewith. This disk is provided at its outer periphery with a ring gear 23 preferably formed of non-conducting fiber, which may be pressed on the flange of the disk.v Against its rear face, the disk 22 is provided with a stamped out arcuate concentric cam 24 having tapered ends 25, for a purpose to be described.

A motor 26 is mounted on the support upon which the machine rests, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The armature shaft 27 of the motor carries a fiber pinion 28 meshing with the ring gear 23. Accordingly it will be apparent that the motor 26 constitutes the source of power for driving the apparatus.

At its upper end the vertical wall is provided with a bearing 29, capped as at 30, and the bearing and cap are provided with a bearing bushing 31 preferably formed of bronze. Grease or other lubricant is fed to the interior of the bearing bushing by means of a grease cup 32.

A rotatable member 33 is mounted to rotate in the bushing 31 and is flanged at its ends as at 34 to prevent it from moving longitudinally. The member 33 is provided at one end with an axial extension 35 upon which is preferably pressed a fiber pinion 36 meshing with the gear 23.

A chuck body 37 is preferably formed integral with the rotatable member 33 and extends axially therefrom at its forward end, that is, the end opposite the pinion 36. The chuck body is preferably tapered toward its end as shown in Figure 4, and is diametrically slotted as at 38 to receive a pair of chuck jaws 39. These jaws have their forward or "outer ends arranged with their inner edges 40 arranged relatively close together, while the remaining portions of the adjacent edges of the jaws are arranged a greater distance The jaws are pivotally connected to the chuck body 37 by pins 42, whereby the outer ends of the jaws are adapted to be swung together, in a manner to be described, to engage wires inserted therebetween. For the purpose of permitting the insertion of these wires, the outer end of the chuck body is provided with an axial opening 43.

The inner edges of the jaws 39 at the end and this spring contacts with the outer edges of the jaws 39 to urge inwardly tne ends of the jaws adjacent the rotatable member 33.

The cam rod 46 is axially slidable in an opening 53 formed in the rotatable member 33 and its axial extension 35. The axial opening 53 receives lubricant from the cup 32 through a passage 53. A ball 54 is arranged in the outer end of the rod 46, as shown in Figure 4. A plate 55 is arranged outwardly of the ball 54 and is pivotally connected to the arms 18 by a pin 56. A screw 57 is threaded in the plate 55 and has its inner end contacting with the ball 54. The screw 57 has a polygonal outer end 58, and

is surrounded by a lock nut 59 engageable against the plate 55 to maintain the screw 57 in adjusted positions.

The plate 55 carries an integral depending arm 60 at the end of which a roller 61 is rotatably mounted. The roller 61 contacts with the cam 24 to be moved outwardly thereby once during each successive rotation of the disk 22, during which time the plate 55 will be moved inwardly to effect inward axial movement of the cam rod 46. The arm 60 preferably is arranged adjacent one end of the plate 55 to distribute the strains to which the latter element is subjected.

A pair of jaws 62 is pivoted to the vertical plate 15 by pins 63 carried thereby. A coil spring 64 has its ends arranged in recesses 65 formed in the jaws 62 to normally urge these members away from each other. As shown in Figure 7, the upper ends of the jaws 62 are arranged on opposite sides of the opening 17. As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the jaws 62 are provided wi h complementary conical recesses 66.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4:, the numeral 67 designates a second cam rod, the rear end of which is slidable in an opening 68 formed in the plate or wall 11. The forward extremity of the cam rod 67 is reduced as at 69 and is slidable in the opening 16. Tnwardly of the end 69, the cam rod 67 is provided with a. conical portion 70 arranged in the recesses 66 of the jaws 62. It will be apparent that forward axial movement of the rod 67 causes the conical portion 70 thereof to spread the lower ends of the j aw 62, and thus close the upper ends thereof.

An operating lever 71 is provided for the rod 69. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lever 71 is provided intermediate its ends With an opening 72 through which the rear end of the rod 67 extends, and integral lips 73 are formed on the lever on opposite sides of the opening 72. A pivot pin 74 is eonnected between the lips 73 and passes through the rod 67. The upper end of the lever 71 projects rearwardly as at 7 5 to be arranged over the plate 55. The extremity of the end 75 is provided with an opening 76 loosely receiving a pin 77 projecting upwardly from the plate 55. i

Adjacent the lower end of the" lever 71, a screw 78 is threaded in the wall 11, and is provided at its inner end with a screw driver slot 79. A look nut 80 is threaded on the end of the screw 78 and engages against the wall 11 to maintain the screw 78 is adjusted positions. The lower end of the lever 71 is yoked as at 81 to straddle the screw 78. A pin 82 extends between the arms of the yoke 81 and engages within the top of an annular groove 83 formed in the screw 78. It will be apparent that the arrangement of the pin 82- in the groove 83 provides a pivot mounting for the lower end of the lever 71, and at the same time permits the lever to alter its vertical position slightly under different conditions of angularity without afiecting the position of the pivot pin 74.

As previously stated, the inward movement of the cam rod 46 clamps the forward ends of the jaws 39 together, and this movement is transmitted to the rod 46 by movement of the plate 55. In order to indicate to the operator the proper time to insert wires to be twisted into the device, the plate is provided with an arm 84 projecting forwardly to a point substantially above the free end of the chuck body 37, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The position of the indicator 84 consequently will depend upon the position of the chuck aws 39, and thus suitable indication will be given to the operator whereby she may determine when to insert the wires to be twisted.

In order that the apparatus may provide the greatest possible factor of safety against injury to operators, a cover 85 is provided. This cover extends rearwardly of and on both sides of the gear .3 and adjacent operating elements and extends over the top of the anparatus to a point preferably just rearwardly of the spring 51, as shown-in Figure Ac cordingly no part of the person of the operator can become entangled in the gearing to be injured thereby.

For the purpose of illustratioiuthe ends of a pair of dynamite cap'wires 86 havebeen shown in position in the device in Figure 4. The portions of the wire from the free ends of the jaws 39 to the extremity of the wire will remain straight and untwisted, while the portion of the wire lying between the jaws 39 and 62 will be twisted as at 87, the length of the twist depending upon the distance between these elements, as will become apparent.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The motor 26 operates constantly, and accordingly the gear 3-3 partakes of constant rotation. During the operation of the apparatus therefore, it will be apparent that the cam 24 successively and intermittently contacts with theroller ill to swing the arm outwardly. It will be apparent that the ends of the rain 24 are tapered as at 25 to facilitate the movement of the roller over the cam. .Vhile the device is designed for constant rotat-ion of the gear 23, it will be apparent that this element may be made to oscillate to accomplish the same results.

Outward movement of the arm (50 when the roller 61 is in contact with the cam 24, causes the plate 55 tobe moved to its inner position indicatedin Figure 4. Under such conditions, the inner end of the screw 57 acts against the ball 54 to effect axial movement of the rod 46. The tapered end 45 of the rod then moves inwardly in contact with the balls 47, and the latter transmit outward movement to the adjacent ends of the jaws 89 through the springs 49. Under normal conditions, the conical end 45 does not contact with the tapered inner edges 44 of t jaws 39. Accordingly it will be apparent that if an article somewhat thicker than the usual wires is inserted between tl e faces 40 of the chuck jaws, these elements cannot move as close to each other as under normal conditions, and the springs 49 are provided to prevent damage to the chuck jaws under such conditions by permitting outward movement of the balls 47 with respect to the cam rod.

@utwardmovement of the inner ends of the jaws takes place against the tension of the annular spring 51, and when the roller 61 passes beyond the cam 2-4 to relieve the rod 46 of the pressure exerted by the screw 57, this element, together with the rod 46, would be returned to normal position by the action of the spring 51 moving the adjacent ends of the chuck jaws inwardly whereby the balls 47 act on the conical end It will be apparent that the springs 51 also act to return the chuck jaws to normal position with the clamping faces 40 thereof moved apart.

lVhen the plate 55 swings toward the rod 46 in the manner previously described, this movement is transmitted to the upper end of he lever 71 by the pin 77 (see Figure. The lever 71 will pivot at its lower end under such conditions, and the rod 67 will be urged forwardly whereby the conical cam will spread the lower enos of the jaws 62 against the tension of the spring 64, while the upper ends of the jaws 62 move towardeach other. Under such conditions, a pair of wires in the operative position shown in Figure 4 will be other. as will be apparent.

gripped between the upper ends of'tlie 62.

After the roller 61 passes off the cam 24;, the plate 55 will return to normal position, as previously described, in which case the lever 71 and rod 67 also will return to normal position. This movement will be assisted by the tension of the spring 64 which causes the lower ends of the jaws 62 to act against the conical cam 70. Return movementof the jaws 62 to normal position obviously releases these elements from the wires 86. o

It will be apparent that throughoutthe operation of the machine, the gear 23 will be constantly driven by the motor, while the pinion 36 will be constantly driven by the gear 23. Accordingly the rotatable member 33, the chuck body 37, and the elements carried thereby will continue to rotate while the parts are in both operative and inoperative positions. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the apparatus operates constantly and performs its various functions automatically. When the roller 61 is off the cam 24, all of the jaws L parts are in inoperative position, at which time the operator inserts the wires into the device. The ends of the wires to be twisted are stripped of insulation so that they will make perfect electrical contact with each The wires are straightened out and inserted through the opening 17, and the flared construction of this opening assists in properly inserting the wires into position.

The chuck body is constantly rotating, as previously stated, and after the wires have been inserted in position, the roller 61 comes into contact with the cam 24 to bring the jaws 39 and 62 into engagement with the wires. The springs 51 normally hold the jaws 39 in inoperative position while the chuck rotates, thus permitting the insertion of the wire, and when the roller 61 engages the cam 24; the chuck faces 40 will simultaneously grip the wires and twist them,

while the portions of the wires between the jaws 62 will be held stationary thereby. Accordingly the portions of the wires lying be tween the jaws 39 and 62 will be twisted, while the portions of the wires between the twist and the free ends of the wires will. remain free to facilitate the untwisting of the wires when it is desired to connect them to a source of current. In this connection, it will be noted that the operator grasps the wires between the thumb and forefinger to insert them in position, and the wire is moved inwardly until the operators fingers contact with the plate 15. Accordingly the operator may properly gage the length of wire inserted into the device. and consequently the length of the free ends of the wires which will remain untwisted.

The twisting operation is very rapidly com pleted, requiring only the length of time required for the cam 24 to travel beneath the roller 61. The parts then will be immediately released and the operator may withdraw the twisted wires, and the article will be completed. Another pair of wires immediately may be inserted into the device, and the operation thus rapidly continued. It has been found that the possible production of the particular class of articles referred to is greatly multiplied with the present apparatus. It also will be apparent that the device is not limited in its use to twisting dynamite cap wires, but may be employed for twisting wires of any kind. In this connection, it will be noted that a greater distance may be provided between the pairs of jaws 62 and 39 to increase the length of the twist if desired.

As previously stated, the gear 22 and pinions 28 and 36 are preferably formed of fiber, and this material is employed to reduce the formation of static electric charges, particularly when the device is employed for twisting dynamite cap wires to minimize the possibility of accidentally exploding the caps. As a further safety measure, the frame is preferably grounded to carry off any static charges from the metallic elements of the apparatus.

The device readily may be adjusted if the wire is not properly gripped by the jaws, or

if it is desired to twist the wire in different sizes. For example, the jaws 39 may be moved closer together at their clamping faces 40 by loosening the lock nut 59, turning the screw 58 inwardly, and again tightening the nut 59. These adjustments will cause the cam rod 46 to be moved inwardly to a greater extent to spreadthe rear ends of the jaws 39 to a greater extent. A similar adjustment is provided for the cam rod 67. A screw driver may be inserted in the slot 79 of the screw 78, whereupon the nut may be loosened, the screw 78 turned, and the nut .80 again tightened to fix the parts in position. Thus the apparatus may be made to accommodate wires of different thicknesses, and may be accurately adjusted for wires of any given thickness.

As previously stated, the cover 85 serves to protect the operator against injury, but of course, the operator is prevented from determining the proper time to insert the wires, merely by looking at the apparatus. Accordingly the indicating arm 84 is provided, this arm being carried by the plate 55. When the gripping jaws are in operative position, the arm 84 will be arranged substantially horizontally. When the'roller 61 is out of engagement with the cam 24, all of the parts will be in inoperative position to permit the insertion of the wires to be twisted and at such time, the indicating arm 84- will be in the upper angular position shown in Figure 2. Accordingly this arm acts as an indicator to the operator whereby she may determine the proper time atwhich to insert the wires.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim: a

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed wire gripping members, a pair of rotatable wire gripping members spaced from said first named members, the members of each pair being normally spaced apart a sufiicient distance to permit the insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, and means for simultaneously moving each pair or members into gripping engagement with the wires.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed wire gripping members, a pair of rotatable wire gripping members spaced from said first named members, the members of each pair being normally spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit the insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, and means operative during rotation of said second named pair of members for simultaneously moving both pairs of members into gripping engagement with the wires. 7

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed wire gripping members, a pair of rotatable wire gripping members spaced from said first namedmembers, themembers of each pair beingnormally spaced apart a suificient distance to permit the insertion of a pair of Wires therebetween, means operative for simultaneously moving both pairs of members into gripping engagement with the wires, and operating means for actuating said last named means. I

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed wire gripping members, a pair of rotatable wire gripping members spaced from sa1d first named members, the members of each pair being normally spaced apart a sutficient distance to permit the insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, means operative during rotation of said second named pair of members for simultaneously moving both pairs of members into gripping engagement with the wires, and cam means for actuating said last named means.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed wire gripping members, a rotatable chuck, apair .of wire gripping members carried by said chuck and axially spaced from said first named pair, the members of each pair being normally spaced apart a suificient distance to permit the insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, means for impartmg a rotary motion to said chuck, and means operative during rotation of said chuck for simultaneously moving both pairs of members into gripping engagement with the wires. 7

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed wire gripping members, a rotatable chuclna pair oi wire gripping members carried by said chuck and axially spaced from said first named pair, the members of each pair being normally spaced apart a suificient distance to permit the insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, driving means for said chuck, means operative during rotation of said chuck for simultaneously moving both pairs of members into gripping engagement with the wires, and cam means for actuating said last named means,

7. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed wire gripping members, a pair or rotatable wire gripping members spaced from said second named members, the members of eaclr pair being normally spaced apart a suificient distance to permit the insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, a drive gear for rotating said second named members, and means for simultaneously moving each pair of members into gripping engagement with the wires, said means including a member carried by and rotatable with said drive gear.

8. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed wire gripping members, a pair of rotatable wire gripping members spaced from said second named members, the members of; each pair being normally spaced apart a sufiicient distance to permit the insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, a drive gear for rotating said second named members, means connected to each pair of members for moving them into gripping engagement with the wires, and means carried by said drive gear for intermittently simultaneously actuating said last named means.

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed wire gripping members, a pair of rotatable wire gripping members spaced from said first named members, the members of each pair being normally spaced apart a suificient distance to permit the insertion of a' pair of wires therebetween, a drive gear for said second named members, means connected to each pair of members for moving them into gripping engagement with the wires, and a cam CELITH-Jd by sa1d drive gear for SlHlUltitIlQOllSlY actuating said last named means.

10. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed jaws, a bearing, a rotatable member mounted in said bearing and including a chuck, a pair of jaws carried by said chuck, the jaws of both pairs being normally spaced apart a suificient distance to permit the insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, means operative during rotation of said chuck for simultaneously moving both pairs of jaws into gripping engagement with the wires, and a rotatable cam for actuating said last named means.

,11. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed jaws, a bearing, a rotatable member mounted in said bearing and including a chuck, a pair of jaws carried by said chuck, the jaws of both pairs being normally spaced apart a sufiicient distance to permit the insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, a rotatable driving member for said chuck, means operative during rotation of said chuck for simultaneously moving both pairs of jaws into gripping engagement with the wires, and a cam carried by said driving member for intermittently actuating said last named means.

12. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed jaws, a bearing, a rotatable member mounted in said bearing and including a chuck, a pair of jaws carried by said chuck, the jaws of both pairs being normally spaced apart a sufficient dis tance to permit the insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, a pinion connected to said chuck, a drive gear meshing with said pinion, separate means for moving each pair of aws into gripping engagement with the wires, a camcarried by said drive gear, and means operative by said cam for simultaneously actuating said separate means.

' 13(Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed wire engaging members, a pair of rotatable wire engaging members spaced from said first namedv members, the members of each pair being normally spaced apart a sufiicient distance to permit insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, means for rotating said second named pair of members, a slidable rod movable into engagement with each pair of members for moving them into gripping engagement with the wires, and means for simultaneously actuating said rods.

14. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of relatively fixed wire engaging members, a pair of rotatable wire engagmg members spaced from said first named members, the members of each pair being normally spaced apart a suificient distance to permit insertion of a pair of wires therebetween, means for rotating said second named pair of members, a slidable rod movable into engagement with each pair of members for moving them into gripping engagement with the wires, a cam carried by said rotating means, and connections between said cam and said slidable rods for actuating the latter.

15. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of gripping devices each including a pair of jaws pivoted intermediate their ends and having oneend adapted to receive a pair of wires therebetween, means for rotating one pair of jaws, a cam movable between the jaws of each pair at the other end thereof,and means for operating said cams V pivots intermediate their ends and having one I end movable into engagement with a pair of wires inserted therebetween, a pair of rotatable jaws pivoted intermediate their ends and having one end movable into engagement with the wires at a point spaced from said I first named jaws, a cam movable between the jaws of each pair at the other end thereof, means for rotating said second named jaws, and means operative during rotation of said last named means for intermittently simultaneously actuating said cams.

'17. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of gripping devices each including a pair of aws pivoted intermediate their ends and having one end adapted to receive a pair of wires therebetween, a pinion connected to one pair of jaws, a drive gear meshing with said pinion, a cam movable between the aws of each pair at the other end thereof, and a control cam carried by said drive gear and operative intermittently during rotation thereof for actuating said first named cams.

' 18. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of gripping devices each including a pair of jaws pivoted intermediate their ends and having one end adapted to receive a pair of wires therebetween, a pinion connected to one pair of jaws, a drive gear meshing with said pinion, a cam movable between the jaws of each pair at the other end thereof, a control cam carried by said drive gear and operative intermittently during rotation thereof for actuating said first named cams, and means for varying the effective movement of said first named cams whereby said jaws are adapted to grip wires of varying thickness.

19. Apparatus of the character described ion comprising a pair of jaws mounted on fixed V pivots intermediate their ends and having one end movable into engagement with a pair of wires inserted therebetween, an axially movable cam rod having a conical end movable between the other ends of said jaws, a ro tatable chuck, a pair of aws carried by said chuck, said last named jaws being pivoted intermediate their ends and having one end movable into engagement with the wires, a cam rod slidable axially with respect to said chuck and having a conical end movable between the other end of'said last named jaws,

a pinion connected to said chuck, a drive gear meshing with saidpimon, a cam carried by "said drive gear, a pivoted plate movable in- "termittentiy by said cam-and having a portion engageable with said second named cam rod, a lever connected between said plate and the other cam rod, and means for varying the effective movement of said cam rods upon each actuation thereof.

20. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 19 provided with a member conneoted to one of the movable elements of the apparatus for indicating the positions of said iaws.

In testimony whereof I affix my'signature.

JOHN GALLAGHER STEELE. 

